Lower Burrell mayor names permanent police chief

Lower Burrell’s mayor has named acting chief John Marhefka the city’s police chief.

“John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience,” Mayor John Andrejcik said Thursday. “He was everyone’s best choice that I talked to including city police, employees and others.”

Marhefka is Andrejcik’s brother-in-law. The State Ethics Commission has said the appointment does not breach the conflict-of-interest provision of Pennsylvania Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, which applies to immediate family members — and not in-laws.

Marhefka succeeds former Chief Tim Weitzel, who stepped down in October. Weitzel told council when he tendered his resignation that he expected the city’s new mayor, Andrejcik, to appoint someone else to the post.

Andrejcik appointed Marhefka as acting police chief in early January.

His salary as chief will be $98,000, according to City Administrator Amy Rockwell.

Marhefka said it was an honor to be named chief after his tenure of about 25 years in the city’s police department.

“It’s a difficult decision to make because we have a bunch of good people who work for the department,” he said.

“No matter who is chief, we will continue the tradition of progressive and proactive police work in Lower Burrell,” Marhefka added.

He has served in a variety of roles over the years with city police, including as the D.A.R.E. officer for 24 years and the Burrell School District resource officer for five years, and has been integral in maintaining the citizens’ police academy for 20 years, Andrejcik said.

Earlier, Andrejcik said that after talking to many other people in the city, they agreed that Marhefka was well-liked and had a long, distinguished track record.

The department has 16 full-time officers.